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Rabies PEP in Washington
State
In Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, bats are the
primary reservoir species, and other animals (notably
potential bat predators such as foxes or cats) are rarely
infected as “spillover” from rabid bat populations. In other
parts of the United States, skunks, raccoons and foxes are
important reservoirs (in addition to bats). In some parts of
the world, dogs and other carnivores may be important
reservoirs.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
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To assess the risk
of rabies exposure in persons bitten or otherwise exposed to
animal saliva, determine the need for PEP, and to provide
counseling to those who don’t require PEP.
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To facilitate the
capture and confinement of potentially rabid animals
(involved in a human exposure) with a defined observation
period (dogs, cats, and ferrets); or facilitate histological
examination of the brain of potentially rabid animals
(involved in a human exposure) when those animals cannot be
observed.
Reporting Requirements
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Health care
providers: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction within 3
work days
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Hospitals:
notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction within 3 work days
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Laboratories: no
requirements for reporting
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Local health
jurisdictions: notifiable to DOH Communicable Disease
Epidemiology within 7 days of case investigation completion or
summary information required within 21 days
Last
update
Dec. 2007 |
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